Hall of Phoenixes: Pamela Dulaney
How did you learn about 750words.com?
The ‘750 Words Clears Your Mind, Gets Ideas Flowing’ post on Lifehacker by Gina Trapani
What are your interests outside of insanely long streaks of private journaling? Who are you and how do you define yourself?
By day I’m a Microbiologist who manages Proficiency Testing program and a smart ass SciFi/Fantasy reading nerd girl with a short attention span who likes helping locally owned small businesses with their social media marketing the rest of the time.
What do you write about in your super secret private journal?
A mixture of things: I vent my spleen, I organize my thoughts for the day if my head seems all over the place because of my ADHD, I capture marketing ideas I have for my local business buds, I write endings to creative writing starters that a Twitter friend sends me, I capture dreams I had that I thought were wonky or interesting, and when I need a boost I write positive affirmations down.
What kept you coming back to the site, 100 days in a row?
I’m a competitive Type A personality so the idea of competing against myself and others has been a real hook and unlocking badges became a surprisingly addictive driver as well. Friends have been very supportive of me as I’ve posted my progress. If I don’t post my status for a period of time they ask to see how I’m doing so I don’t want to let them down. Finally, I think the contract I write with myself each month for the challenge seals since I don’t want to break my word.
Do you find it difficult to stay motivated after 100 days?
I thought that I might because I have in the past when writing in my paper based journals, but because of the mixture of information you provide on the site and the way things continue to change I have been kept interested. Even on crazy days when I can’t get to the site until the day and I’m exhausted I still want to write my 750words.
If you could change anything about the site, what would it be?
You seem to address anything I would change on the site before I can completely form the idea in my head! I haven’t tried to export my entries so far so I’m not sure of the format of those export files, but integration into Evernote would be very cool.
Anything else you’d like to add as one of the first people to reach
100 days in a row?
I’d like to give a resounding thank you to you for creating such an awesome outlet that has done wonders for my creativity. I would also offer words of encouragement to those who are just starting out and don’t think that they can manage to keep at it. I’d tell them to take some of the pressure off of themselves. The thought of having to write 750 words can be intimidating at times, especially if you are holding yourself to all sorts of rules and restrictions. Some days it can be just as productive to let your mind wander and describe the events going on around you, snippets of overheard conversation, etc.
